John Tennent was born in County Antrim, and was educated at home by his father, where he was trained for a career in the family wine and spirit business. He joined the United Irishmen and left Ireland for London and later went to Hamburg and The Hague in 1797 on a secret mission on behalf of the society. Two years later he fought for Napoleon against the British, and in 1803 was appointed captain. He joined the newly established Irish Battalion and he represented his unit at Napoleon's coronation in 1804. The Emperor presented him with an eagle standard. Tennent fought in the Napoleonic campaigns in Spain, Holland and Germany, and was appointed Chef de Bataillon of the 4th Battalion of the Irish Regiment in 1809. He took command of the 1st Battalion at Landau in 1810. In 1813 Napoleon named him a knight of the Legion of Honour. He died at Lowenberg, Germany, in a conflict with Russian troops in 1813.

Born:	c.1772
Died:	1813